John Carson

Vice President of University Relations

As vice president of University relations, John Carson brings to the University of Hartford 43 years of business, development, and economics expertise, honed in both public and private sectors. Carson oversees efforts in government relations, public relations, communication, and community relations, as well as the Center for Professional Development, located on the Asylum Avenue campus. His decade long tenure has coincided with the University's emergence from the financial challenges of the early 1990s into the present era of strong growth and enhanced reputation.

Specializing in economic development and public policy, Carson has served as an adjunct professor of economics at the University. His career has been shaped by service with the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council (president), with Deloitte & Touche (consultant and Connecticut director of business development), and as commissioner of economic development for the State of Connecticut (1981–88).

Carson is a former chair of the Connecticut Development Authority and the Connecticut Business Development Corporation. A past president of the National Association of State Development Agencies, he was named the 1993 Developer of the Year by the Northeast Economic Developers Association.

Carson holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts. He earned his BA in economics with honors from the University of Hartford. He resides in West Hartford, Conn.